Trading in Supercoach is the most important skill once the season is under way. Team selection was critical. That step is now in the past. Tips for SuperCoach Trading.
Round 1 should be a designated trade-free zone. Unless the team is not up to scratch. Trading in round 1 is a sign that team selection was not spot on. A SuperCoach must remain confident in team selection. Think about why a player was selected - for cash or to end the season with? If selected for the end of season - stick with it.
There are 21 windows to trade in SuperCoach. From the end of Round 1 until the end of Round 21. This means 42 opportunities to trade (2 a week). No trading in Round 1 gives 40 opportunities to trade in 20 trade windows. A trade a week, average.
Trading after Round 2 is very common. The AFL players will change in price after 3 games. Trading after Round 2 gives a SuperCoach a chance at snagging some great bargain buys that may have been overlooked. Most, if not just about all, SuperCoaches will be trading heavily after Round 2. I was lucky to pick up Higgins ($220k) and Hurn ($300k) in 2009. Both ended up averaging over 90 for the year. These are the kind of selections that should be looked at.
There will be high-priced ($450k+) options that are over-performing. Unless the cheaper options are unavailable, they should generally be ignored.
The lingo for trades:
Sideways Trade - trading for a player of similar price. These trades should be avoided at all times by a shrewd SuperCoach. The exception is a major, usually season-ending injury to a superstar. Even then, early in the season, it may be better to downgrade.
Downgrade or Down Trade - a moderate or high priced player traded for a cheaper one. The cheaper player is reckoned to increase in value. The net effect of downgrading is to free up cash.
Upgrade or Trade Up - replacing moderate/bargain players with proven champions. Upgrading should wait until the second half of the season. Bad news done early in the season. The guns will most likely be over-priced, and therefore a bad investment.
Cash Cow - an AFL player bought on the cheap. Then sold at a high price. Usually a bench player.
Most SuperCoaches will look to trade heavily in Rounds 3 & 4. Then sit back for a number of weeks. Until mid-season. Bargains, new debuts will occur. These can be snapped up on the way to mid-season, but restraint should be used. Broughton is a perfect example from 2009.
Keep in mind the keeper/stayer numbers. Don't downgrade too many - preventing a full, end of season upgrade. The target should be 22 champions on the field. The exception, again, is a poor team. Trades may have to be wasted just to make the eight etc. Trying to win 9th is a better target if the team is truly awry - resulting in less wasted trades. As always, ladder position is far less important than the make-up of the team at finals.
SuperCoach trading involves patience. Be sure to use both 'free' games that an AFL player debuting in 2010 has. SuperCoaches trade in huge numbers after the second game. Everyone can spot the bargains, its no longer guesswork.
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